Crane is Counter-Suing in Discrimination Case

July 14, 2014 by RVBusinessComments Off on Crane is Counter-Suing in Discrimination Case

A Goshen, Ind., factory sued by its former human resources manager for allegedly firing her because she refused to hire illegal immigrants has denied the allegations and counter-sued, arguing that she quit after being reprimanded for poor performance.

As reported by the Elkhart Truth, Taimi Fernandez-Guillot filed a $2 million employment discrimination suit in May against Crane Composites, which makes fiberglass sidewall finishes for recreational vehicles at a plant at 2424 E. Kercher Road. She alleged she was fired for refusing to hire new employees without verifying the authenticity of their identification. Doing so, she argued, would leave her liable for criminal or civil penalties with federal immigration officials.

The company recruited Fernandez-Guillot from her native Florida to begin the job in November at an annual salary of $90,000 plus performance bonuses. Her suit alleged she eventually learned of many illegal immigrants working at the plant and came to the point where she refused to sign their I-9 forms which verify their legal status to work in the United States.

But in a response filed in court this week, the company denied that allegation, saying it “maintains robust employee work authorization and identity verification practices.”